As of 24 Oct 2026, 06:02 (UTC+7)
From 3 November 2026, every passenger boarding an international flight to the United States will have to sign a short health statement, called an attestation, confirming they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the previous 21 days. The rule applies to all nationalities, including US citizens, and to passengers who are only connecting through a US airport.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the Order on 22 October 2026 as a measure to reduce the risk of Ebola reaching the United States by air. Here is what changes and what to do.
What happened
According to the CDC Order page, published on 22 October 2026, all air passengers boarding an international flight into or connecting through the United States must sign a statement that they have not been present in the DRC in the 21 days before boarding.
The requirement takes effect at 11:59 p.m. EST on 3 November 2026. It applies to flights departing to the United States from a foreign country at or after that time. That is 11:59 (UTC+7) on 4 November.
At a glance
| Question | Answer (per CDC) |
|---|---|
| Start | Flights departing for the United States at or after 11:59 p.m. EST on 3 Nov 2026 |
| Who must sign | Every passenger, including US citizens, US nationals and Green Card holders |
| Children under 18 | A parent, guardian or other authorized person signs for them |
| Family bookings | One attestation per passenger; one form cannot cover a whole group |
| Transit through the US | Yes, an attestation is needed even if you are only connecting |
| Land borders and seaports | Not covered; the rule is for air travel only |
| No attestation | The airline must not let you board, unless you hold a US Government exemption |
Who is affected
Almost everyone flying to the United States from abroad is affected, because everyone has to complete the attestation, including US citizens, US nationals and Green Card holders, not only visitors.
If you are only connecting through a US airport to reach another country, you still need to complete it. The requirement does not apply to land border crossings or seaports.
Travelers who were in the DRC
The people most affected are those who have been in the DRC recently. CDC says that connecting through an airport in the DRC counts as being present there, even if you never left the plane. The 21 days are counted in calendar days: Day 0 is the day you leave the DRC, and you may board a flight to the United States from Day 22.
If that applies to you, rebook now rather than at the airport.
Separate rules for South Sudan and Uganda
On its information page for travelers, CDC also describes separate restrictions. Non-US citizens and non-US nationals, including Green Card holders, who were in South Sudan or Uganda in the 21 days before departure will not be allowed to enter the United States. US citizens and nationals who were there (and not in the DRC) are routed through designated airports for public health screening: Washington-Dulles, Atlanta and New York JFK.
How the attestation works
Airlines collect the attestation, not the government. Under the CDC Order, airlines must confirm that every passenger has completed it at or before boarding, must not board anyone who has not, and must keep each attestation for at least 42 days after the flight arrives. It can be a paper form with a signature or a digital version, such as an electronic checkbox in the airline’s check-in process.
CDC warns that willfully giving false or misleading information may lead to criminal fines and imprisonment under 18 U.S.C. 1001.
What to do now
- Check your flight date. If you depart for the United States at or after 11:59 p.m. EST on 3 November, the attestation applies to you.
- Watch for your airline’s instructions. Expect the attestation during online check-in or at the airport. Allow a little extra time at check-in in the first days.
- Complete one for each traveler. Sign for children under 18 yourself.
- Review your travel history. If you were in the DRC, including a stop at a DRC airport, count 21 full days from the day you left and rebook if needed.
Staying connected on your trip
Airlines send check-in links, gate changes and rebooking options by app, email and text, so it helps to be online the moment you land. A United States eSIM lets you set up mobile data before you leave home, so you can reach your airline or check official updates without hunting for airport Wi-Fi.
Official sources
- CDC: Order requiring attestation for all air passengers arriving in the United States (22 October 2026)
- CDC: Information for travelers returning from Ebola-affected areas (updated 22 October 2026)
FAQ
When does the United States Ebola attestation start?
It applies to flights departing for the United States from a foreign country at or after 11:59 p.m. EST on 3 November 2026, according to CDC.
Do I need the attestation if I am only connecting through the United States?
Yes. CDC says you must complete the attestation for any flight landing in the United States, even if you are only passing through to another country.
I was in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When can I fly to the United States?
CDC counts calendar days: Day 0 is the day you leave the DRC, and you may board a flight to the United States from Day 22. A stop at a DRC airport counts, even if you stayed on the plane.
This article is for travel planning only and is not official guidance. Rules may change. Always check CDC and your airline before you travel.
Photo: ticketing and check-in hall, Washington Dulles International Airport, Virginia, United States (2022). Famartin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
United States eSim
